Local Venturans have become "fired up" over Barack Obama, the Democratic Senator from Illinois who has inspired folks all over the country to join his grassroots campaign. Led by Ventura Team Coordinators Jim Mangis and Marion Holzworth, the Ventura Team was established November 17th and is actively working to nurture support for Obama here in Ventura.

Currently, the group numbers 23 members. Team leaders include Mike Guinn, CD 23 Data Manager, Antonio Crutchley, Phone Bank Coordinator, Katherine Perez, Ventura Data Manager and Canvassing Coordinator, Rick Cole, Canvassing Coordinator, Alyson Schuster, New Teams Coordinator and Betsy Quinn and Marion Holzworth, Volunteer Coordinators. They hope to expand to 50-60 volunteers in coming weeks.

With the California Democratic Primary pushed forward to February 5 th, 2008, the team's primary mission is to recruit volunteers, identify supporters and get out the vote for Obama. A group of great diversity, a few discussed their individual purposes and the person who unites them.

Volunteer coordinator Betsy Quinn, a retired Ventura High School teacher and artist, commented, "I saw Barack first at the Democratic National Convention in 2004 and thought that he was someone to watch. Then I read his book "Dreams From My Father" and I became convinced that he should be our next president.

"He has had a vast and varied background which has prepared him so well for the challenges of the 21st Century. He is so smart, articulate, funny, and also sensitive. And I believe that he is sincere and honest. How about that combination for a president?

"And he has studied law, taught US Constitutional Law, worked as a neighborhood organizer, and become a US. Senator. He has my full support."

New Teams Coordinator Alyson Schuster, an Actress and Marketing Associate at Rubicon Theatre Company, remarked, "Since graduating from UCLA and entering the 'real world,' I had become increasingly disheartened at the direction the United States has gone.

"In my years of schooling, I had never associated my country with the words 'bully' or 'isolationist' and certainly not 'torturer.' I am sad to admit I was no longer 'proud to be an American.'

"When I heard Barack speak at Santa Barbara City College, I was filled with hope...that united behind this man, with such grounded, brilliant ideas and a positive movement, we could repair the horrendous damage we've done in the past eight years and build a better nation and better world."

For more information regarding Barack Obama and his campaign, please visit California.barackobama.com.

For more information about volunteering or to join the Barack Obama Ventura Campaign Team, please contact Jim Mangis at jwmangis@sbcglobal.net or at (805) 641-1770.